thought would affect my estate planning: the will, the insurance policies, that sort of thing.”
I tell myself to quell my uneasiness over Steven Collier. It makes sense that he has those documents. He’d have a tough time doing his job otherwise. And plenty of people carry firearms for legitimate reasons. I’m one of them. Besides, there’s no reason to think Herb Rawlings was shot. Guns have nothing to do with this case. Plenty of people lie, too, especially if they think it will help someone they want to protect. Clearly Collier has thought about the damage Louisa’s divorce plans might cause under the circumstances.
“And Anastasia’s trust documents,” Louisa adds. “Herb made a point of giving Steven a copy of those. I remember the two of them coming back here after an afternoon on the Carolina Girl to discuss it.”
“Anastasia has a trust?”
Louisa unfolds her arms and holds both hands up, palms out. “Don’t get me started,” she says, but apparently I already did. She barely pauses for breath. “Doting Daddy has the dreadful daughter financed for life. Heaven forbid she lift a finger during her stay on earth.”
It occurs to me that Anastasia’s earthly existence sounds somewhat comparable to Louisa’s, but I don’t mention it. “Why would Herb give a copy of Anastasia’s trust documents to Steven Collier?” I ask instead.
Louisa leaves her post at the stove and examines the floor as she saunters to a stool across the counter from mine. She smiles when she looks up, her rich brown eyes genuinely amused. “That’s a fair question,” she says as she sits, “from someone who doesn’t know Anastasia.”
Something tells me I just might get to know Anastasia before all this is over. There’s more bad blood here than I’d realized.
“To those of us who know her,” Louisa continues, “the answer is obvious. I knew immediately. Steven did too.”
She leaves her perch at the counter, takes a few steps and leans against the refrigerator. I wait.
“Anastasia is specifically excluded from her father’s will,” Louisa says. “And our Anastasia will be apoplectic when she finds out.”
“Why?” I ask. “Why is she excluded?”
“Because she’s already taken care of,” Louisa answers. “Her trust is well funded. It will support her quite comfortably—her and her beatnik boyfriend, I might add—for life. Herb thought it best to keep Anastasia’s financial interests separate from mine.”
Herb thought right on that score. Too bad he couldn’t find separate planets for them too. “I’m not following you, Louisa. I still don’t see why Steven Collier has copies of Anastasia’s trust documents.”
“We’ll need them,” she says, “when the poor little rich girl contests her daddy’s will.”
I should have seen that coming. If Steven Collier were here, he’d undoubtedly ask me if I’m a lawyer.
“And she will contest it,” Louisa adds. “Make no mistake about that. She’ll be in probate court before Herb’s attorney finishes breaking the news.”
Now it’s my turn to leave my perch. It’s time to get out of here. I have other questions, including more than a few about Anastasia Rawlings, but I want to sleep on them before I ask. We’ve covered enough ground for one day. No need to open Pandora’s box before we leave.
“I’d like to meet earlier tomorrow,” I tell Louisa as I take my jacket from the back of the chair. “How’s nine o’clock?”
She shrugs. “It’s fine with me,” she says. “I’ll be here.”
The Kydd takes my cue and starts for the kitchen door, but then stops. He turns and heads for the living room instead, apparently remembering Louisa’s preference. I grab my briefcase and follow, our hostess right behind me.
I’m eager to get going. I’m meeting Harry at his place so we can go out for a quick bite. And Luke should be home by now too. If he doesn’t have a date, and hasn’t already made plans with
I tell myself to quell my uneasiness over Steven Collier. It makes sense that he has those documents. He’d have a tough time doing his job otherwise. And plenty of people carry firearms for legitimate reasons. I’m one of them. Besides, there’s no reason to think Herb Rawlings was shot. Guns have nothing to do with this case. Plenty of people lie, too, especially if they think it will help someone they want to protect. Clearly Collier has thought about the damage Louisa’s divorce plans might cause under the circumstances.
“And Anastasia’s trust documents,” Louisa adds. “Herb made a point of giving Steven a copy of those. I remember the two of them coming back here after an afternoon on the Carolina Girl to discuss it.”
“Anastasia has a trust?”
Louisa unfolds her arms and holds both hands up, palms out. “Don’t get me started,” she says, but apparently I already did. She barely pauses for breath. “Doting Daddy has the dreadful daughter financed for life. Heaven forbid she lift a finger during her stay on earth.”
It occurs to me that Anastasia’s earthly existence sounds somewhat comparable to Louisa’s, but I don’t mention it. “Why would Herb give a copy of Anastasia’s trust documents to Steven Collier?” I ask instead.
Louisa leaves her post at the stove and examines the floor as she saunters to a stool across the counter from mine. She smiles when she looks up, her rich brown eyes genuinely amused. “That’s a fair question,” she says as she sits, “from someone who doesn’t know Anastasia.”
Something tells me I just might get to know Anastasia before all this is over. There’s more bad blood here than I’d realized.
“To those of us who know her,” Louisa continues, “the answer is obvious. I knew immediately. Steven did too.”
She leaves her perch at the counter, takes a few steps and leans against the refrigerator. I wait.
“Anastasia is specifically excluded from her father’s will,” Louisa says. “And our Anastasia will be apoplectic when she finds out.”
“Why?” I ask. “Why is she excluded?”
“Because she’s already taken care of,” Louisa answers. “Her trust is well funded. It will support her quite comfortably—her and her beatnik boyfriend, I might add—for life. Herb thought it best to keep Anastasia’s financial interests separate from mine.”
Herb thought right on that score. Too bad he couldn’t find separate planets for them too. “I’m not following you, Louisa. I still don’t see why Steven Collier has copies of Anastasia’s trust documents.”
“We’ll need them,” she says, “when the poor little rich girl contests her daddy’s will.”
I should have seen that coming. If Steven Collier were here, he’d undoubtedly ask me if I’m a lawyer.
“And she will contest it,” Louisa adds. “Make no mistake about that. She’ll be in probate court before Herb’s attorney finishes breaking the news.”
Now it’s my turn to leave my perch. It’s time to get out of here. I have other questions, including more than a few about Anastasia Rawlings, but I want to sleep on them before I ask. We’ve covered enough ground for one day. No need to open Pandora’s box before we leave.
“I’d like to meet earlier tomorrow,” I tell Louisa as I take my jacket from the back of the chair. “How’s nine o’clock?”
She shrugs. “It’s fine with me,” she says. “I’ll be here.”
The Kydd takes my cue and starts for the kitchen door, but then stops. He turns and heads for the living room instead, apparently remembering Louisa’s preference. I grab my briefcase and follow, our hostess right behind me.
I’m eager to get going. I’m meeting Harry at his place so we can go out for a quick bite. And Luke should be home by now too. If he doesn’t have a date, and hasn’t already made plans with
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